I'm finally equiped the way I want to be

[montanaWineGuy]

4 six gallon glass carboys purchased from a neighbor today. Now I've a total of 8 six gallon carboys (4 glass and 4 plastic). I can now make enough wine and not feel rush to free up a carboy before its time, as the fruit suddenly becomes available.

I started a batch of Blueberry today, and tomorrow a batch of Elderberry. Next week probably another Blueberry and an Apple.

 

[Johny99]

A good start! Like any good addiction this is just the beginning. Next you'll be slipping a four pack of gallon jugs in the shopping cart, scouting the recycle yard for good looking ss beer kegs, dreaming of barrels.....

 

[montanaWineGuy]

I've been shopping for Carboys. Shipping cost is the killer. These 4 for $100. Nice.

 

[bkisel]

I think those 8 should hold you for awhile. I get by with 6 largely because I don't bulk age over 3 months.

 

[NorCal]

What is nice with carboy so and early drinkers is that the season is spread out. For me, when grapes start, they tend to come all at once and I need to make enough to last a year.

 

[montanaWineGuy]

What is nice with carboy so and early drinkers is that the season is spread out. For me, when grapes start, they tend to come all at once and I need to make enough to last a year.

The apples and Elderberries are ready nearly the same time, and give me a small window in which to make as much wine as I can. It's the Rhubarb that is ready late spring that gives me time for an extra batch or two.

I found out last year that longer bulk storage is vital for certain wines, and now with plenty of Carboys I can do this. Quantity and Quality.

 

[montanaWineGuy]

I think those 8 should hold you for awhile. I get by with 6 largely because I don't bulk age over 3 months.

My 2015 Elderberry bulk aged for nearly 4 months. I bottled and 3 months later I was blowing corks. I put everything back into carboys and after several months rebottled. So far so good. Interesting the wine was very clear, yet after the 2nd bulk aging there was quite a bit of sediment at the bottom of the carboys. Lesson learned for me, at least with Elderberry, longer is better.

 

[Floandgary]

My 2015 Elderberry bulk aged for nearly 4 months. I bottled and 3 months later I was blowing corks. I put everything back into carboys and after several months rebottled. So far so good. Interesting the wine was very clear, yet after the 2nd bulk aging there was quite a bit of sediment at the bottom of the carboys. Lesson learned for me, at least with Elderberry, longer is better.

Likely the move from carboy to bottle then back to carboy served to degass sufficiently. I've made it my practice to "splash rack" when I do my (3mo.) rackovers and K-meta treatments. Have NOT had a cork even think about trying to escape!!

 

[Boatboy24]

I said the same thing two years ago. In the last nine months, I've acquired an additional barrel and one more carboy.

 

[Steve_M]

Went from having just two carboys 2 yrs ago have grown to 9!
This fall will get our 1st barrel.

 

[Scooter68]

I do small batches primarily 1-4 gallons (4 liters - 16 liters) and with plenty of 4 liter empties available at the recycling center (Mostly "Carlo Rossi" empties), I have no problem other than storage. Think I have 15 - 4 liter carboys and 4 - 1 gallon carboys . I only use the 1 gallon ones now if a batch has a huge amount of lees and I don't want to add as much water to top off a batch.